By Betty Brown

Remote working is becoming increasingly popular, seeing a significant increase from only 14.5% of workers in 2019 to 30.6% in 2022. Of course, the catalyst for this change was the COVID-19 pandemic, but statistics show that many businesses are now continuing to allow their staff to work remotely.

With remote working comes many benefits – for example, no daily commute, increased flexibility and less distractions. However, it can be difficult for some to adjust to focusing in a new environment. That’s why we recommend managing your own workload in the following ways:

Reduce background noise

With offices usually having some degree of background noise, many have grown accustomed to it and find the silence of home-life to be distracting. Luckily there are ways to combat this, with some of the most common ones being playlists specifically compiled for focus. They typically consist of peaceful, instrumental music that occupies your brain without distracting you from your work.

Try to avoid smartphones and social media

Another common distraction is your phone. Many people find it hard to resist the temptation to check their messages, social media etc. but this can have a negative impact on your work. Even if it only takes a few minutes, something as simple as responding to a message can interfere with your concentration. Once you switch tasks, it can actually take anywhere from 64 seconds to 23 minutes and 15 seconds to fully regain focus.

If you feel your attention waning, one of the most basic ways to reset your focus is simply by stepping away from your computer, moving around your home or even switching rooms.
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There are a couple of ways to minimise these distractions, one of which is the Do Not Disturb mode that features on most smartphones. It disables your notifications except those from your selected emergency contacts. You can even schedule it for certain hours of the day.

Prioritise your tasks

Sometimes it can feel overwhelming to get started, leading to procrastination. A helpful way to motivate yourself is to break down your daily tasks into manageable chunks. For example, any tasks that would only take a few minutes, you might decide to complete those first so that you can focus on any more lengthy tasks. You could even keep a daily to-do list, separated into goals to reach before lunch and those for the end of the day.

Test out flexibility

If your employer allows you to be flexible with your work, this can be really valuable. There might be certain hours of the day that you find yourself being more productive, if so, try to allocate these hours to your most important tasks where possible. If you feel your attention waning, one of the most basic ways to reset your focus is simply by stepping away from your computer, moving around your home or even switching rooms. Sitting back down with a fresh mindset can do wonders for your concentration.

Now that you know some of the remote working top tips, make sure to keep these in mind but do what is best for you. Once you’ve tried out a few of them, you’ll soon figure out which ones help you the most, or you may even discover your own new methods. As long as you’re staying on track and keeping your team in the loop, you’re on the right path to becoming a valued remote worker.

Author Bio

Betty Brown is a Consultant | Researcher
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